ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -We sat down for an interview with Congressman Ron DeSantis, R-St. Augustine, to discuss why he is entering the race for the United States Senate, to fill the seat currently held by Senator Marco Rubio. He discussed his experience as a prosecutor and a soldier as top reasons for his run. 

"As an officer with Navy JAG and volunteered to serve in places like Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Iraq in 2007, and have continued to serve in the Navy Reserve, and I think to me, the idea of service to the country is very important."

DeSantis was instantly labeled by the Democratic Party as a member of the Tea Party. Supporters have used the same label. We asked the congressman if that was fair?

"I'm a 'Ronald Reagan Republican' and conservative, and I've always been that because I think you have the three stools of being strong on national security, strong on fiscal issues, taxes and spending, and also strong on having a good family and a strong society. I think that's the best label. I think some of these other labels are kind of used as epithets now and people just want to throw names at you."

DeSantis talked about his desire to maintain a strong defense and his opposition to allowing a deal with Iran that would let them keep their nuclear program. He seemed more interested though in reforming Washington DC, discussing the first bill he was able to pass.

"The bill overturned the pay increase for members of Congress as well as some other federal employees. I was like do taxpayers really want to be paying members of Congress more money right now? It ain't like the job approval rating is that good."

We wanted to discuss a story from earlier in the week about Daytona Beach, which is in the congressman's district, using $465,000 in federal tax money to put up way finding signs. DeSantis did not agree with the project.  

"This is not something certainly that I requested, and I don't think it is appropriate to be having federal, people getting taxed here in Florida, sending the money to Washington, and then having pennies on the dollar come back for what is essentially a local project." 

So far, the only Democrat in the race is Congressman Patrick Murphy, of West Palm Beach. His campaign says Mr. Murphy will also be sitting down to discuss the race with FOX 35 in the near future.